By ROBIN SHANNON

L’Observateur

LAPLACE – A fatal accident on Interstate 310 in St. Charles Parish Monday claimed the life of a Slidell man, according to a release from State Police.

Christopher D. Blanchard, 30, was traveling south on I-310 in the left lane in a 2002 Buick LeSabre when his vehicle drifted off the road to the right and crashed into a billboard support post, said Trooper Melissa Matey, spokesperson for Troop B. The crash occurred just before 1 p.m. Monday near Louisiana Highway 3127 on the west bank of St. Charles Parish.

Matey said Blanchard was ejected from the vehicle and pronounced dead on the scene.

Investigators said speed was not a factor in the crash, and Blanchard was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the accident. Matey said driver impairment is not known, and an autopsy and toxicology reports are still pending.